I like travelling. And I like taking photographs. So when I was invited to attend a travel photography workshop hosted by photo-sharing site SmugMug last week, I’d said yes in less time than it takes me to decide between Instagram filters for a sunset shot (although to be honest when it comes to sunset shots it’s either #nofilter or X-Pro II all the way).

If you haven’t heard about SmugMug I recommend taking a look. A stylish way to store and share your photographs, you choose from a selection of beautifully-designed templates, which you can then customise to create a completely unique site. Loading up your images is dead easy and you can keep them completely private or share them with friends and family.

I picked up lots of tips at the workshop, which apply whether you have a fancy camera or you’re a mostly phone photographer, like me. I can’t wait to try them on my next trip. And of course I had to share them with you. Here’s what I learned…

Change your perspective

Get up above the world and shoot what’s below you to add interesting lines and shadows to your photographs. Or get down low and shoot from the ground. Seriously, lie on the floor and take a shot of what’s above you (I have done this). Keep an eye out for things that aren’t in your line of perspective. Look down and you might spot something painted on the pavement, look up and you could see some interesting, or amusing, signage. Do look ahead now and again to avoid walking into lampposts, something I narrowly avoid doing with alarming frequency.

Wait for golden hour

When I’m on holiday I’m frequently up ahead of the sunrise to see the sun kiss the world awake and I’m there again, phone poised, when the sun makes its descent at the end of the day (I do sleep sometimes, I’ll often have a disco nap in between!). The light is particularly beautiful at these times of day (flattering portrait shots alert, golden hour is the ideal time for #nofilter selfies!). Look out also for blue hour, the time just after sunset or just before sunrise when the sky’s not completely dark for atmospheric, otherworldly light. Cityscapes, portraits and landscapes are all good blue hour subjects.

Shoot food in natural light

I plan my holidays as much around the restaurants I want to eat in as the sights I want to see (in fact if I’m honest possibly more so). And I’m totally guilty of shooting and subsequently sharing every Instagram-worthy meal that gets put in front of me. The SmugMug people advise shooting food in natural light as much as possible. Take it over to a table by the window if needs be so you capture the vibrant colours on the plate. Yes, the staff might give you a funny look, but you’ve gotta get the shot, am I right?! For the first time ever when I was on holiday in Portugal the waitress actually helped me style my shot! Oh and don’t feel you have to see the whole plate, interesting crops can look good too.

Choose colour. Or not

Some images just have to be in colour, such as sun-bleached beach shots, a market stall piled high with spices, or stunning sunset shots. Other images work better in black and white. Buildings, interiors and architectural details often fall into this category. Look for clean lines, strong shapes, texture and repetitive patterns, all of which work well in black and white.

Back up your photographs

I have nearly 4000 images on my iPhone (I know, I know). I think most of them are on iPhoto, but in terms of backing them up, erm, that’s it (I KNOW, I KNOW!). According to the SmugMug people, if an image isn’t backed up three times, it’s not really backed up. I would be gutted if I lost all my photographs, so I’m making a mid-year resolution to get on top of my picture admin, back up my images three ways, and make some space on my phone for, I dunno, some more photography apps…!

Got any great travel photography tips? Do share below!

A year’s subscription to SmugMug costs from $40. All photographs above taken in LA, Venice Beach and Vegas last year on my iPhone. Before I attended the SmugMug workshop!